Arsenal and Chelsea have reportedly identified Eintracht Frankfurt forward Hugo Ekitike as an alternative target to Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak.
The Sweden international is attracting significant interest after racking up 17 goals in 23 Premier League appearances this season.
Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Barcelona are among the clubs that have been linked with a potential move for Newcastle's star striker.
However, pulling off a summer deal could prove difficult with Newcastle expected to demand over £100m for a player who is under contract until the summer of 2028.
As a result, Arsenal and Chelsea appear to be considering an alternative option should the Mapgies decide to stand their ground with Isak's valuation.
Ekitike emerges as Isak alternative
According to Caught Offside, Arsenal and Chelsea are 'majorly considering' Ekitike as an alternative to Isak for the summer transfer window.
The two London rivals view the Frankfurt striker as a cheaper option than Isak, potentially making him a more realistic option for the summer transfer window.
However, the Bundesliga club are believed to be keen to retain the Frenchman's services beyond the end of the current season.
With that in mind, Frankfurt will demand £60m for the 22-year-old, who has a contract at Deutsche Bank Park until June 2029.
Arsenal are keen to bolster their striker options after being left without a natural number nine following injuries to Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.
Chelsea have also seen their lack of centre-forward options exposed by Nicolas Jackson's hamstring injury, with the Senegal international expected to be out until April.
Who is Hugo Ekitike?
After progressing through the Reims academy, Ekitike went on to net 11 goals in 28 matches for the first team.
The forward joined Paris Saint-Germain on a season-long loan deal in the summer of 2022, before he completed a permanent move to Parc des Princes ahead of the 2023-24 campaign.
Ekitike experienced an underwhelming time with the Ligue 1 champions, mustering just four goals in 33 appearances in all competitions.
As a result, he was allowed to move on loan to Frankfurt in the winter of 2024, going on to score four goals in 14 matches in the second half of last season before joining the German club on a permanent basis.
Ekitike has been in fine form for Dino Toppmoller's side this season, racking up 17 goals and six assists in 32 competitive appearances. body check tags ::
